Beyond the boxing ring, Mike Tyson has collaborated numerous times with pro wrestling, most notably in segments with D-Generation X in WWE. He was one of the ultimate figures for mainstream attention that brought new eyes to the product.
However, Tyson’s most recent pro wrestling appearances have happened with AEW. At Double or Nothing 2020, Tyson presented a new TNT Championship to Cody Rhodes, and in 2021, he stirred tension with Chris Jericho that created a short program involving the two combat sports veterans.
Apparently, there was a chance for Jericho and Tyson to go one step further to wrestle each other. According to the company’s first world champion on the AEW-some Pod, he and Tyson were “deep into the negotiations” on a cinematic match that would have taken place in New York. The match obviously never happened, though he did not specify the reason why (h/t Wrestling Inc for transcription).
“Mike Tyson and I almost had a cinematic match; we were this close to doing one. It was going to be Tyson vs. Jericho in a New York Street Fight, but we just couldn’t make it happen. We really were deep into the negotiations, too.
“We were going to do it in New York, like an alley fight basically,” he said. “Think ‘They Live’ — but with Tyson and Jericho, that’s kind of what I had in mind.”
This could have been a unique add-on to a pay-per-view or to close a grand episode of Dynamite. An anything-goes match with fun, planned spots can prove entertaining enough, even if the result won’t be a technical masterpiece.
Since proper editing and retakes of things can be done, cinematic matches have usually succeeded. From AJ Styles vs. The Undertaker at WrestleMania to the Hardys’ “Deletion” bouts, memorable clashes have resulted from these scripted environments.
Cinematic matches are likely here to stay, providing fun add-ons to shows. Even though Jericho vs. Tyson may not happen, more of these matches will likely appear on pro wrestling shows in the future.